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Histology > Male Reproductive Histology > Flashcards

Male Reproductive Histology Flashcards

1
Q

Label.

A
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2
Q

What step of sperm production occurs in the testis?

A

-Spermatocytogenesis
-Spermiogenesis

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3
Q

What step of sperm production occurs in the epididymis?

A

Sperm matures & becomes motile

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4
Q

What step of sperm transportation occurs in ductus/vas deferens?

A

-Receives sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct
-Receives fluid from seminal vesicles

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5
Q

Where is seminal fluid produced?

A

-Seminal Vesicles
-Prostate Gland
-Bulbourethral Glands
= accessory glands of male reproductive system

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6
Q

What step of sperm transportation occurs in the ejaculatory duct?

A

-In prostate
-Connects ductus deferens to urethra

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7
Q

What step of sperm transportation occurs in the penis?

A

-Contains urethra
-Deposits sperm into female reproductive tract

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8
Q

Order the structures involved in sperm production & transportation.

A

-Testis
-Epididymis
-Ductus/vas deferens
-Seminal vesicle
-Prostate
-Ejaculatory duct
-Bulbourethral gland
-Penis

  1. Seminiferous tubules = produces sperm
  2. Straight tubule
  3. Rete testis (in mediastinum testis)
  4. Efferent ductules
  5. Epididymis (head -> body -> tail = efferent ductules -> true epididymis) = store, mature & transport sperm into:
  6. Ductus/vas deferens (component of spermatic cord) - goes up into pelvis, around bladder, behind bladder - then joins SV:
  7. D/V D joined by seminal vesicle = forms ejaculatory duct (which penetrates prostate gland) –> seminal vesicles join - so secretions can enter from SVs & from prostate glands
  8. Ej duct passes through prostate (prostate secretions enter)
  9. Urethra exiting bladder via int. urethral sphincter meets ej duct exiting prostate -> prostatic urthra (merging of ej duct & urethra)
  10. Bulbo-urethral glands - in deep perineal pouch with ext. urethral sphincter
  11. Semen exits body via urethra of penis
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9
Q

Label this image of the testis.

A
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10
Q

What does this histological image of the testis show?

A

-Highly coiled seminiferous tubule - so see many cross-sections in x1 image
-Central lumen of ST w/ well-defined basement memb & myofibrils (transport)
-Interstitium lies outside STs - collagen, capillaries & lymph vs

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11
Q

What cells are found in the seminiferous tibules?

A

-Germinal epithelium (sperm cells)
-Sertoli cells

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12
Q

What cells are found in interstitium - testis?

A

-Leydig cells
-Fibroblasts

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13
Q

Label the cells of the testes - along with other relevant structures.

A
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14
Q

Summarise what is found in seminiferous tubules.

A

-Germinal epithelium (sperm cells)
-Sertoli cells
-Sperm @ various stages of development
-Central lumen
-Well defined basement memb
-Myofibrils (transport)

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15
Q

Summarise what is found in interstitium - testes.

A

-Leydig cells
-Fibroblasts
-Collagen
-Capillaries –> BLOOD-TESTES BARRIER
-Lymphatic vs

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16
Q

What are Sertoli cells - description?

A

-Located in seminiferous tubules
-Synthesise hormones/nutrients/proteins
–> in response to FSH
-These cells support spermatogenesis

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17
Q

What are Leydig cells - description?

A

-Located in interstitium
-Synthesise testosterone
–> in response to LH (leutenising hormone)

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18
Q

Structure of Sertoli cells?

A

-Tall, columnar cells
-Cytoplasmic extensions
-Tight junctions between them

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19
Q

How to locate Sertoli cells when looking at histological image?

A

Locate basal lamina (= well defined) & look for cell in seminiferous tubule

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20
Q

Structure of Leydig cells?

A

-Round cell
-Round nucleus
-Reinke’s crystalloid

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21
Q

How to locate Leydig cells when looking at histological image?

A

Find basal lamina & look for cell in interstitium

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22
Q

Describe the many roles of Sertoli cells?

A

6 = helps with reproductive function

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23
Q

What is ABP - produced by Sertoli cells - simple give name for it?

A

Androgen Binding Protein

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24
Q

Give the process involved in Sertoli cells secreting ABP.

A

-Leydig cells produce testosterone (in response to LH)
-Testosterone = lipophilic - so can cross cell memb from Leydig cells (of interstitium) into Sertoli cells (of seminiferous tubules)
-In STs - Sertoli cells secrete ABP
-ABP binds/sticks to testosterone
= lowers lipophilic property of testosterone
–> so testosterone remains in Seminiferous tubule (Serotli cells)

= conc of testosterone in ST&raquo_space;> than in systemic circulation
–> IS NEEDED BECAUSE TESTOSTERONE = pre-requisite for spermatogenesis (sperm is produced in ST!)

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25
Q

Summarise main function of Leydig cells.

A

Produces testosterone

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26
Q

Summarise main function of Sertoli cells.

A

Spermatogenesis - sperm production (& many other functions too!)

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27
Q

What are the 2 components/STAGES of spermatogenesis?

A
  1. Spermatocytogenesis
  2. Spermiogenesis

–> together = spermatogenesis (sperm production)

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28
Q

Where does spermatogenesis occur?

A

Seminiferous tubules

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29
Q

What is spermatocytogenesis?

A

Spermatogonia (diploid) undergo meiosis I & meiosis II = produces x4 haploid spermatids

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30
Q

What is spermiogenesis?

A

Each spermatid becomes highly differentiated spermatozoa

31
Q

What 5 cell types are involved in spermatogenesis?

A

1.Spermatogonia
2. Primary spermatocyte
3. Secondary spermatocyte
4. Spermatids
= in basal lamina of ST

  1. Spermatozoa
    = in lumen of ST
32
Q

Compare where in the seminiferous tubule spermatocytogenesis VS spermiogenesis occurs.

A

-Spermatocytogenesis = nearer to basal lamina - gets progressively further away from basal lamina & nearer towards lumen during this process
-Spermiogenesis = nearer to lumen

—> sperm moves towards lumen of seminiferous tubule as it develops/matures

33
Q

Describe the process of spermatocytogenesis.

A

Mitosis occurs top repopulation germ cell/stem cell population –> occurs prior to meiosis

34
Q

Describe the process of spermiogenesis.

A
  1. Golgi phase = PAS-positive granules appear in golgi apparatus & fuse forming memb bound acrosomal vesicle close to nuclear memb - vesicle enlarges & it is anterior pole - the 2 centrioles migrate to posterior pole of spermatid
  2. Cap phase = acrosomal vesicle changes shape to enclose anterior half of nucleus & becomes the acrosomal cap - nucleus condenses
  3. Acrosome phase = dense nucleus flattens & elongates - at posterior pole developing axonemal complex is seen
    -Excess cytoplasm migrates to posterior pole (residual cytoplasm)
    -Mitochondria line-up along mid piece
  4. Maturation phase = sperm cells move to epididymis for maturation
35
Q

What can be seen in seminiferous tubule - process of sperm production? cells?

A

1 = spermatogonia = large & round - found basally
4 = Spermatozoa = found nearer to lumen

—> spermicide moves ‘inwards’? as it develops/matures - i.e., moves further to lumen of seminiferous tubule

36
Q

Label the sperm.

A
37
Q

What is the primary investigation done to test for male factor infertility?

A

Semen analysis

38
Q

What is examined within a semen analysis?

A
39
Q

How important is quantity (sperm concentration)?

A

Fairly important - need it to be high enough that enough sperm will survive to make it to fertilise the egg - as LOTS die along the way

40
Q

How important is sperm morphology?

A

-Morphology = insufficient criterium for prognosis of infertility
—> 95% non-morphologically formed spermicide = not an issue for fertility - i.e., morphological abnormal sperm is NOT uncommon

41
Q

How important is sperm motility?

A

VERY!
-Progressive motility = if sperm are moving forwards
-If low motility seen may need to check vitality —> are the sperm alive (do this by seeing if sperm have intact cell membs)
-Dead sperm won’t show progressive motility!

42
Q

Structure of epididymis.

A

-MANY cross-sections seen on image as is highly coiled
-Tall columnar ep w/ basal nuclei
-Lumen contains clumps of spermatozoa
-Tall microvilli
~7m long
-Highly coiled

43
Q

Role of epididymis in sperm production/transportation?

A

-Site of sperm maturation - for ~1 month
-Stabilises cell membs if sperm

44
Q

Functions of epididymis?

A

-Absorbs fluid
-Phagocytoses
-Secretions

45
Q

Structure of ductus deferens?

A

-It is x1 single straight tube
-Thick muscular wall = 3 layers
-Tall columnar ep with folds (= stellage lumen)
-Widens at end (= ampulla) & receives fluid from seminal vesicles

46
Q

Function of ductus deferens in sperm production/transport?

A

-Storage site of sperm - for several months
-Contracts to allow for ejaculation

47
Q

Summarise basic structure & function of epididymis & ductus deferens.

A
48
Q

What processes occur to allow for ejaculation of semen from penis?

A

-Sperm transported from ductus deferens (= storage site) along ejaculatory duct
-Where ductus deferens ampulla merges with seminal vesicle = forms ej duct
-Sperm receives secretions from the x3 accessory glands
*Seminal vesicles (near bladder = called ej duct)
*Prostate (in prostatic urethra)
*Bulbourethral gland (just after prostate in deep perineal pouch)
—> now is called semen
-Semen transported along urethra out penis

*Contraction of ductus deferens (& ej duct?)
–> due to stimulation of symp NS

49
Q

Location of seminal vesicles?

A

-Posterior aspect of bladder
-Drains ampulla of ductus deferens
-Marks beginning of ejaculatory duct (where DD ampulla & SV merge)

50
Q

What do the seminal vesicles secrete?

A

-Thick alkaline fluid w/ fructose (for sperm energy) & coagulation factors (to clump/coagulate ejaculate together to get through cervix = survival mechanism)
*Semenogelin I & II - causes coagulation of semen to get through cervix
-Makes up 60-70% of semen final vol

51
Q

Location of prostate?

A

Inferior aspect of bladder

52
Q

What does the prostate secrete?

A

-Thin milky fluid - containing: citrate (used in ATP production by sperm), zinc…
-Prostate specific antigen = liquifies coagulated ejaculate (once semen has passed cervix)
-Makes up 20% of semen final vol

53
Q

Location of ejaculatory duct?

A

-Within prostate - ejaculatory duct forms from union of ductus deferens ampulla with seminal vesicles

54
Q

Structure of prostate?

A

3 MAIN THINGS TO BE AWARE OF:

-5 lobes (based on position of ej duct & urethra)

-Zones
*Central (25%)
*Transitional (5-10%)
*Peripheral (65%)

-Stroma = anterior location - makes up rest of gland (is mostly non-secretory)

55
Q

What are the zones of the prostate gland?

A

-Secretory glands
-Open up into urethra (open into urethral sinuses on either side of urethral crest - which is a longitudinal ridge)
-it in stromal network of fibroblasts, collagen & smooth muscle
-Septa extends internally into the lobes

*Only need to know:
-Central (25%)
-Transitional (5-10%)
-Peripheral (65%)

56
Q

What are the glands in the prostate?

A

-Inner periurethral (mucosal glands)
Opens directly into urethra

-Outer periurethral (submucosal glands)
Opens via short ducts into urethra

-Peripheral zone glands
Opens via long ducts into urethra

–> opening into urethra = differs depending on location of the glands

57
Q

Structure of prostate epithelium?

A

-Folded
-Contains:
*Tall columnar/cuboidal cells (change shape according to secretion contents) w/ pale cytoplasms (C)
*Basal pale-staining nuclei (B)

58
Q

What are the secretory products of the prostate (epithelium)?

A

-Acid phosphatase
-Citric acid
-Fibrinolysin
-Amylase & other proteins

-In older people - condensed glycoprot secretions can calcify in lumen = called corpora amylacea (CA) - but isn’t pathological

59
Q

Location of bulbourethral glands?

A

-Pea-sized glands
-Embedded in ext. urethral sphincter
-In deep perineal pouch
-Between pelvic floor & urogenital triangle

60
Q

What do the bulbourethral glands drain into?

A

Membranous urethra

61
Q

What do the bulbourethral glands secrete?

A

-Mucus = for lubrication & alkaline quantity balances acidic environment of penile urethra
–> makes up 10% of final semen vol

62
Q

Summarise the location, secretions & functions of secretions of:
-Seminal vesicle
-Prostate glands
-Bulbourethral glands

A
63
Q

What %s of ejaculate is what?

A

90% = semen
10% = sperm

64
Q

How does semen exit penis?

A

Via the penile urethra

65
Q

Where is semen deposited in females?

A

Upper vagina - then must travel to site of fertilisation
-> vaginal vault

66
Q

Label this diagram of the penis.

A
67
Q

Label this diagram of the penis.

A
68
Q

Label this cross-section of the penis.

A
69
Q

What are the 3 components of the corpora cavernosum?

A

-Smooth Muscle
-Sinusoids
-Abundant vascular supply

70
Q

Mechanism of penile erection?

A
  1. SM (of corpora cavernosum) relaxation
  2. Dilatation arteries (parasympathetic)
  3. Veins flattened
  4. Blood trapped
71
Q

What can be seen in histological cross-section image of the penis?

A

-x2 dorsal corpora cavernosa (CC)
-x1 ventral corpus spongiosum (CS)
-Surrounded by fibrous capsule (C)
-Penile urethra (U) runs through corpus spongiosum

72
Q

Label.

A
73
Q

Summarise the tissue types of the locations shown here.

A

Histology (14 decks)

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